Antibounce contact means



' Sept. 5, 1967- J. E. LUNDBERG 3,340,376

ANT-IBOUNCE CONTACT MEANS Filed April 2, 1965 f as 41 -?4 46 32 40 m. 3050 1 6 n 17 51 44 3 "u" 5 16 a 43 23 I "u I 2? I "I" I] A I I m ;4 12 gINVENTOR. J29 NW/W WWW United States Patent 3,340,376 ANTIBOUNCE CONTACTMEANS John E. Lundberg, Richfield, Minn., assignor to Honeywell Inc.,Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 2, 1965, Ser.No. 445,158 8 Claims. (Cl. 200166) The present invention is directedgenerally to a contact structure and operating means to form anantibounce contact means, and more particularly is directed to a relaywhich utilizes a very simple structure to provide an initial tension toa relay contact blade to eliminate contact bounce upon operation of therelay contact structure.

In the electrical contact art, particularly where applied to the use ofcontact structures that are electromagnetically operated to providerelaying functions, the life and current carrying capacity of thecontact structure are to a great degree dependent on the elimination ofbounce or vibration of the contacts. Bounce or vibration creates anarcing condition that causes deterioration of the contacts and eventualwelding of the contact members in a closed condition. It has been longrecognized that as the moving contact of a pair of contact membersstrikes a fixed or stationary contact, that the two contact members tendto bounce apart thereby causing an arcing to occur which reduces thecontact life. There are extensive antibounce contact arrangements andthese arrangements generally require complex structures and extracomponents to accomplish the antibounce function. The addition ofcomponents and structure obviously increases the cost of a contactstructure and is therefore undesirable. The present invention isdirected to a very simplified arrangement which applies initial tensionto the contact blade structure and adds little in the way of expense tothe unit.

It is the primary object of the present invention to disclose a verysimple antibounce contact arrangement for electrical contacts whereinthe contact means carries one of the contacts on a conventional bladethat has an extension that is under an initial tension to eliminate thebounce, and which initial tension is applied by a simple pair ofoverlapping projections carried by the actuator means or relay.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose an antibouncecontact arrangement that supplies initial tension to a blade of thecontact structure by means of a pair of insulated projections that arecarried on one of the two relatively movable members of the actuatingmeans and which initial tension is maintained by a frictional engagementof the contact blade until the contacts have mated and sufiicientcontact pressure has been applied to prevent bounce or reopening of thecontact members.

Yet another object of the present invention is to disclose an antibouncecontact arrangement that in elfect utilizes but a minimum of parts inaddition to the parts normally required in a switch structure to providean antibounce feature, thereby being of very little additional cost inthe fabrication of the structure.

These and other objects will become apparent when the present drawing isconsidered in detail, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a conventional relay disclosing theantibounce structure, and wherein the relay has its relatively movablemagnetic circuit portions in their open or most remote position, and;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation as in FIGURE 1, except with the relay inthe actuated position wherein the magnetic circuit portions are fullyengaged with one another. In FIGURE 1 an electromagnetic means 10 isgenerally disclosed. The electromagnetic means 10 forms a generalactuator means for an antibounce contact structure that will bedescribed in some detail. The electromagnetic 10 includes a coil 11surrounding a laminated core 12 that is attached mechanically to a fixedmagnetic member or frame 13. The coil 11 is energized by means includingwire 14, and an additional wire (not shown).

Pivotally mounted at 15 is an armature member or movable portion 16 ofthe electromagnetic means 10. The movable portion or armature member 16forms the movable member for the electromagnetic means 10 and restsagainst an upstanding member 17 that is formed integrally with the fixedportion or magnetic member 13. The member 13, the laminated core 12, thecoil 11, and the movable portion or armature 16 forms a conventionalmagnetic circuit for the electromagnetic means 10. The coil 11 is heldon the laminated core 12 by a shading coil 20, of conventional design.Also included in the fixed portion or member 13 of the magnetic circuitis an up standing leg 21 that supports contact means generally shown at22. The contact means 22 is attached by a screw 23 to the upstandingportion 21 in a conventional fashion. The contact means 22 is formed ofan insulating member 24 through which screw 23 is placed in attachingthe contact means 22 to the member 21. A contact blade 25 is separatedby insulating member 26 from a blade 27. Blade 27 in turn is separatedby insulating member 30 from the upper blade 31. An insulating member 32is then provided above the blade 31. Screws 33 and plates 34 areutilized to hold the contact means 22 into a stacked arrangement whereinthe blades 25, 27, and 31 form a plurality of stack contactselectrically independent from one another. This general style of contactmeans 22 is well known and, is disclosed as exemplary of one of theembodiments possible in the present invention.

The blades 25, 27, and 31 each have contact members 35, 36 and 37respectively. The contact members are in the form of button-typecontacts that are mounted physically through the blades 25, 27, and 31,in a conventional fashion. The blade 27 has a portion or blade 40 whichextends beyond the contact member 36 and the projecting blade 40 acts asthe operating means for the present contact structure, as will becomeapparent as the present invention is described in detail.

Supported through the insulating member 30 is an adjusting screw 41 thatforms a stop for the movement of the armature 16 by resting at end 42 ona plastic member 43 that is riveted at 44 to the armature 16. Theplastic member 43 has an upstanding post 45 Which has a projection 46around which a spring 47 is mounted. The end 50 of spring 47 is aroundthe upstanding portion 17 of the magnetic frame 13 and forms a springbia means to hold the armature 16 in the position shown in FIGURE 1 withthe plastic member 43 against the stop 41. This is the normallyde-energized position of the electromagnetic means 10. In thisde-energized position the two relatively movable portions of themagnetic circuit 16 and 13 are in their most remote positions whereinthe armature or movable portion 16 is held in the upper position by thespring 47.

Attached to the armature or movable portion 16 by the rivet 44, theplastic member 43 provides the operating portion for the electric relaymeans and provides part of the novel antibounce feature. The plasticmember 43 has a base portion 51 that has two opposed projections 52 and53 are formed of an insulating material in the preferred embodiment andapply an initial tension to the blade end 40. The projection 53 extendsupward beneath the blade 40 adjacent the contact means 22 generally,while the second projection 52 is above the blade 40 and extendsdownward at a position more remote from the contact means 22 than thefirst projection 53.

The two projections 52 and 53 apply a rotating force to blade 40 thattends to bow the blade 40 as shown in FIGURE 1, thereby placing aninitial tension on this means blade holding the blade 40 so that thecontact member 36 touches contact member 37 thereby completing anelectric circuit between the blades 31 and 27. It will be noted that thecontact member 36 is held above the contact member 35 thereby having anopen circuit between the blades 27 and the blade 25. This provides acontact arrangement with normally open and normally closed contacts.

In FIGURE 2 the same contact structure is disclosed for the electricrelay means and all of the parts are numbered identically to thosedisclosed in FIGURE 1. In FIGURE 2, however, the armature or movableportion 16 is shown in a fully engaged position with the laminated core12. This position occurs when the coil 11 of the electromagnetic meansis energized by applying a potential between the wires connected to thecoil 11 in a conventional fashion. In the position disclosed in FIG- URE2, the projection 52 applies a force to blade 40 which drives the blade40 and its accompanying contact member 36 into engagement with thecontact member 35. In the position of FIGURE 2, with the electromagneticmeans 10 energized, the contact member 36 is separated from the contactmember 37 thereby open circuiting the previously closed circuit betweenthe blades 31 and 27. It will be noted also that blade 40 now justclears projection 53 thereby removing the rotating tension initiallypresent on the blade end 40.

It will become apparent that somewhere between the position disclosed inFIGURE 1 and the position disclosed in FIGURE 2 that projection 53 pullsaway from the blade 40. The removal of the projection 53 from the blade40 occurs after the contact member 36 engages the contact member 35driving the two into closed engagement. The initial tension created bythe projections 52 and 53 on the blade 40 are retained until suflicientdownward force is applied to blade 40 by projection 52 to maintain afixed contact between the contact member 35 and 36 without these twocontact members being allowed to bounce or separate during the movementof the armature 16 to the position shown in FIGURE 2. The positiondisclosed in FIGURE 2 has been referred to in the present application asthe fully engaged position.

The antibounce contact means disclosed for the contact structure hasbeen extensively tested and the test results have indicated that byapplying the initial tension through the means of rotating the end ofthe blade 40, that extensive life can be given to the contact memebers35 and 36. The antibounce contact means obviously can be actuated by anyactuator means such as the electromagnetic means 10 or by any othermeans which can create relative movement between the insulating member43 and the fixed contact means 22. It is further obvious, that theplastic member 43 could be manufactured of some conducting materialthereby placing the blade end 40 at the same potential as the movableportion or armature 16 of the electromagnetic means 10, which isnormally ground as the device disclosed would normally be mounted on apanel. In this case the contact 36 would be at the same potential as theframe 13 and would provide a Convenient method of making electricalcontact to the contact member 36 without attaching an electrical leaddirectly to the blade 27.

The present antibounce contact means can be constructed in a number ofdifferent fashions utilizing various materials and operating means inaddition to the electromagnetic means specifically disclosed. Since thepresent invention can be carried out through the application of anynumber of different arrangements, the applicant wishes to be limited inthe scope of the present invention solely by the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Electric relay means, including: electromagnetic means tocontrollably create a magnetic flux in a magnetic circuit; said magneticcircuit including a fixed portion and a movable portion pivoted uponsaid fixed portion and which portions rotate with respect to each otherin response to said magnetic flux against spring bias means; said fixedportion supporting contact means having a fixed contact member, and amovable contact member with a blade projecting beyond said fixed contactmember; said movable magnetic portion including a pair of offsetinsulated opposed projections overlapping said blade of said movablecontact member to place said movable contact member under an initialtension when said magnetic circuit portions are rotated to their mostremote position by said spring bias means; and said pair of 0&- setprojections being spaced along said blade with a first of saidprojections beneath said blade adjacent said contact means and with asecond of said projections above said blade placed more remote from saidcontact means than said first of said projections; said movable magneticcircuit portion including the pair of offset projections maintainingsaid initial tension on said movable contact member as said movablemagnetic circuit portion travels towards said fixed magnetic circuitportion against said spring bias means until said movable contact memberengages said fixed contact member prior to said magnetic circuitportions reaching a position wherein said magnetic circuit portionsfully engage one another.

2. Electric relay means, including: electromagnetic means tocontrollably create a magnetic flux in a magnetic circuit; said magneticcircuit including a fixed portion and a movable portion which portionsmove with respect to each other in response to said magnetic flux; saidfixed portion supporting contact means having a fixed contact member,and a movable contact member with a blade projecting beyond said fixedcontact member; said movable magnetic portion including a pair ofinsulated offset opposed projections overlapping said blade of saidmovable contact member to place said movable contact member under aninitial tension when said magnetic circuit portions are in their mostremote position; and said pair of offset projections being spaced alongsaid blade with a first of said projections beneath said blade adjacentsaid contact means and with a second of said projections above saidblade placed more remote from said contact means than said first of saidprojections; said movable magnetic circuit portion including the pair ofofiset projections maintaining said initial tension on said movablecontact member as said movable magnetic circuit portion travels towardssaid fixed magnetic circuit portion until said movable contact memberengages said fixed contact member prior to said magnetic circuitportions reaching a position wherein said magnetic circuit portionsfully engage one another.

3. Electric relay means, including: electromagnetic means tocontrollably create a magnetic flux in a magnetic circuit; said magneticcircuit including a fixed portion and a movable portion which portionsmove with respect to each other in response to said magnetic flux; saidfixed portion supporting contact means having a plurality of stackedcontact members with at least one of said contact members including ablade projecting beyond said contact members; and said movable magneticportion including a pair of offset opposed projections overlapping saidblade of said contact member to place said contact member with saidblade under an initial tension when said magnetic circuit portions arein their most remote position; said movable magnetic circuit portionincluding said pair of otfset projections maintaining said initialtension on said contact member with said blade as said movable magneticcircuit portion travels towards said fixed magnetic circuit portionuntil said contact member with said blade engages said stacked contactmember prior to said magnetic circuit portions reaching a positionwherein said magnetic circuit portions fully engage one another.

4. Electric relay means, including: electromagnetic means tocontrollably create a magnetic flux in a magnetic circuit; said magneticcircuit including a fixed portion a movable portion which pontions movewith respect to each other in response to said magnetic flux; said fixedportion supporting contact means having a fixed contact member, and amovable contact member with a blade projecting beyond said fixed contactmember; and said movable magnetic portion including a pair of oifsetopposed projections overlapping said blade of said movable contactmember to place said movable contact member under an initial tensionwhen said magnetic circuit portions are in their most remote position;said movable magnetic circuit portion including said pair of otfsetprojections maintaining said initial tension on said movable contactmember as said movable magnetic circuit portion travels towards saidfixed magnetic circuit portion until said movable contact member engagessaid fixed contact member prior to said magnetic circuit portionsreaching a position wherein said magnetic circuit portions fully engageone another.

5. Electric relay means, including: electromagnetic means tocontrollably create a magnetic flux in magnetic circuit means; saidmagnetic circuit means including a fixed portion and a movable portionwhich portions move with respect to each other in response to saidmagnetic fiux; said magnetic circuit means supporting contact meanshaving a fixed contact member, and a movable contact member with a bladeprojecting beyond said fixed contact member; and said magnetic circuitmeans including offset opposed projections overlapping said blade ofsaid movable contact member to place said movable contact member underan initial tension when said magnetic circuit portions are in their mostremote position; said ofi'set projections maintaining said initialtension on said movable contact member as said movable magnetic circuitportion travels towards said fixed magnetic circuit portion until saidmovable contact member engages said fixed contact member prior to saidmagnetic circuit portions reaching a position wherein said magneticcircuit portions fully engage one another.

6. An antibounce contact arrangement, comprising: actuator meansincluding a fixed member and a movable member which members move withrespect to each other upon operation of said actuator means; said fixedmember supporting contact means having a fixed contact, and a movablecontact with a blade projection beyond said fixed contact; said movablemember including a pair of offset opposed projections overlapping saidmovable contact blade to place said movable contact under an initialtension when said actuator members are in their most remote position;and said pair of offset projections being spaced along said blade with afirst of said projections beneath said blade adjacent said contact meansand with a second of said projections above said blade placed moreremote from said contact means than said first of said projections; saidmovable member including said pair of oifset projections maintainingsaid initial tension on said movable contact as said movable membertravels towards said fixed member until said movable contact engagessaid fixed contact prior to said actuators members reaching a positionwherein said actuator members fully engage one another.

7. An antibounce contact arrangement, comprising: actuator meansincluding a fixed member and a movable member which members move withrespect to each other upon operation of said actuator means; said fixedmember supporting contact means having a plurality of stacked contactswith at least one of said contacts including a blade projecting beyondsaid contacts; and said movable member including a pair of oifsetopposed projections overlapping said blade of said contact to place saidcontact with said blade under an initial tension when said actuatormembers are in their most remote position; said movable member includingsaid pair of offset projections maintaining said initial tension on saidcontact with said blade as said movable member travels towards saidfixed member until said contact with said blade engages said stackedcontacts prior to said actuator members reaching a position wherein saidactuator members fully engage one another.

8. An antibounce contact arrangement, comprising: actuator meansincluding a fixed member and a movable member which members move withrespect to each other upon operation of said actuator means; saidactuator means supporting contact means having a fixed contact, and amovable contact with a blade projecting beyond said fixed contact; andsaid actuator means including olfset opposed projection meansoverlapping said movable contact blade to place said movable contactunder an initial tension when said actuator members are in their mostremote position; said actuator means including said ofiset projectionmeans maintaining said initial tension on said movable contact as saidmovable member travels towards said fixed member until said movablecontact engages said fixed contact prior to said actuator membersreaching a position wherein said actuator members fully engage oneanother.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,866,025 12/1958 Moran 3,240,893

335-194 3/1966 Farrell 200-466

8. AN ANTIBOUNCE CONTACT ARRANGEMENT, COMPRISING: ACTUATOR MEANSINCLUDING A FIXED MEMBER AND A MOVABLE MEMBER WHICH MEMBERS MOVE WITHRESPECT TO EACH OTHER UPON OPERATION OF SAID ACTUATOR MEANS; SAIDACTUATOR MEANS SUPPORTING CONTACT MEANS HAVING A FIXED CONTACT, AND AMOVABLE CONTACT WITH A BLADE PROJECCTING BEYOND SAID FIXED CONTACT; ANDSAID ACTUATOR MEANS INCLUDING OFFSET OPPOSED PROJECTION MEANSOVERLAPPING SAID MOVABLE CONTACT BLADE TO PLACE SAID MOVABLE CONTACTUNDER AN INITIAL TENSION WHEN SAID ACTUATOR MEMBERS ARE IN THEIR MOSTREMOTE POSITION; SAID ACTUATOR MEANS INCLUDING SAID OFFSET PROJECTIONMEANS MAINTAINING SAID INITIAL TENSION ON SAID MOVABLE CONTACT AS SAIDMOVABLE MEMBER TRAVELS TOWARDS SAID FIXED MEMBER UNTIL SAID MOVABLECONTACT ENGAGES SAID FIXED CONTACT PRIOR TO SAID ACTUATOR MEMBERSREACHING A POSITION WHEREIN SAID ACTUATOR MEMBERS FULLY ENGAGE ONEANOTHER.